Nik Gable
Reporter
The PLU Men’s Basketball team has arrived.
With a record of 8-2 in conference and a 13-6 record overall, the team’s postseason ambitions are within reach. In the last 5 games the Lutes are 3-2 with an average margin of victory of three, and in the two losses, an average margin of defeat of two. This team is getting great close game experience, which will help them come conference tournament time. These close games also indicate a team that is tough and together.
“We need to continue to take it one day at a time and be grateful for each other and the opportunity we have to compete,” head coach Chad Murray said when asked about how his team can sustain this hot start to conference play. “Our defense will need to continue to be our focus throughout the second half of the conference schedule.”
Defense wins championships. The famous mantra uttered by numerous coaches throughout the sports landscapes still applies. PLU’s defense has been superb this season. They’ve held opponents under 40% from the field, and their 39.741% opponents field goal ranks 42nd in all of division three. This is a sizable accomplishment for a team that is putting defense as a focus goal.
Continuing to be engaged throughout the season is a tough ask for 18-22 year olds, however this team has risen to the challenge. Despite having a couple games canceled and postponed due to Covid, they have persevered. A reason for this could be the energy that they attempt to bring on a nightly basis.
“I need to bring the energy each game for the team to win,” Junior forward Sean Mccurdy said. “Energy is contagious and it can take one good thing to change the energy of the team and a game.”
Clearly this team has trust in one another and great chemistry. Energy is a direct result of that chemistry, because of the trust a player must have in their teammates to hit shots and prevent the other team from doing the same.
This team seems to be having fun and enjoying their company. This makes for great viewing whenever a team has this sort of vibe around them. Hopefully their success can continue and they can make a push for a regular season conference title (they currently are tied for second) and conference tournament title. With four of their next six games being at home, it’s a great time to go out and support the team. At the time of writing their next game is on Feb. 4.
Promising Women’s Basketball team led by star underclassmen
Put your sunglasses on, because the future is bright for the PLU Women’s basketball team.
With 10 underclasswoman, they are a young team with an exciting future. Despite their 5-10 record (2-6 conference), this team plays hard and never gives up.
“With such a young team this year, it’s been important for many different people to step up in many ways,” Sophomore Ava Edmonds said when asked how she feels the team has been improving throughout the course of this season so far. “A lot of us have been stepping into bigger roles and have had some big shoes to fill, and I feel as though we’ve become more comfortable with these positions and will continue getting better as we move on with the season.”
It is never easy to fill big shoes, yet the young players on this team are doing just that — the top five leading scorers for the Lutes are all freshmen or sophomores. This type of responsibility early in these women’s careers will certainly help them grow and learn over the years.
“I feel like with this group, we always feel like we have a chance in games,” Head Coach Tiffany Twiddy said. “These women are getting better and more confident every single day. I’m so grateful to be a part of this team and to finish out the season on a positive note. I think we may surprise people going down the stretch.”
Clearly this team still has fight in it and will not give up. “Being in every game,” may seem like mindless coach speak, however it is one of the most important qualities a young team can have. Young teams are obviously going to take their lumps throughout the season. However, maintaining competitiveness can prevent morale from getting low during a long season. Just like the Men’s team, this team has had a couple games plus a tournament canceled due to Covid. Having to navigate a sports season within a pandemic is hard at any level, and made more challenging when your team is as young as this team is. The positive side to facing adversity early on in many of these women’s’ careers is that nothing will phase them down the road in basketball and in life.
Despite their record, the Women’s basketball team at PLU is young and hungry. They’ve faced adversity this season with Covid and a lot of young players in new roles. Through it all they’ve persevered and remain competitive. These women are fun to watch and I encourage all to go watch them play. Their next game (at the time of writing) is Feb. 1.
